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The decision of increasing power of artillery tanks KV-1 and T-34 was taken up before the war - in the spring of 1940 discussion on possible options for the installation of new armaments was held at the highest level. As a result, it was concluded the futility of further work on 45-mm guns and their subsequent replacement by a gun with a caliber of 55-60 mm. This decision coincided with the creation of 57mm antitank high power gun ZIS-2, which is engaged in the development of OKB # 92 under the direction of Grabin.

On June 13, 1940, the president of the Security Council S.Timoshenko referred to Central Committee of the Communist Party and SNK USSR the report "...about insufficient power of the armament of existing KV and T-34 tanks, and about other prospective tank projects". On June 27, the special session of the SNK was devoted to that question.

KV1 - early model 1939

T34s in field - early models - 1940

At that time, Grabin's design bureau was working already on 57 mm antitank gun (ZIS-2), that's why it was ordered to develop a tank variant of that 57 mm gun, but first drafts of such gun was already developed by Grabin's initiative. The version of Zis-2 for installation in tanks was named Zis-4.

The manufacture of the first prototype of 57mm tank gun had launched in September 1940, following approval of a proactive move by the Marshal Kulik had been issued the appropriate order and began building a prototype. But until December manufactoring preparations were slow because improvement and mass production of the 76.2 mm F-34 tank gun overloaded factory. Nevertheless, in the beginning of December 1940, the very first prototype of 57 mm tank gun was manufactured.

The gun was put into service this year and not waiting for the official follow an order to develop a tank variant Grabin started working through the options for installing it on the medium tank T-28.

However, this work quickly failed, as the plant and design were heavily loaded development of mass production of tank shells F-34 caliber 76,2 mm. The first prototype of the T-28 with the ZIS-4 L/73 was collected in early December and in April 1941, on a trial basis, this instrument was installed in the T-34 turret.

T28 prototype with Zis-4 57mm L/73 gun

Tank range tests VMS version 4 by and large could not resist. After 100-150 rounds there was a strong fouling of the barrel, and sight distance was only 1,000 meters, which was lower than short-tank gun F-34. Those trials have revealed an extremely short life of its barrel (overheated after 100-150 shots) and low accuracy.
After the improvements, which included the use of phlegmatizer and change the slope cutting, the tank was passed on July 6 at Sofrinsky tank training ground. This time the results were much better - revised version of the tank ZIS-4 was now able to hit targets on the sighting distance of up to 2000 meters. For armor piercing weapon that has surpassed all: the distance of 500 meters - 98 mm armored plates (angle 90 °) and 83 mm armored plates (angle 60 °) range of 1000 meters - 90 mm armored plates (angle 90 °) and 78 mm armored plates (angle 60 °) distance 1500 meters - 82 mm armored plates (angle 90 °) and 73 mm armored plates (angle 60 °) Since work on the more powerful tools, which can be set to medium tanks, moving not so fast, Commissariat ordered to take the ZIS-4 on the arms, but only after the new improvements. Improvements were limited to the unification of the ZIS-4 with a 76.2-mm tank gun F-34, resulting in a 57mm cannon was different for the most part only a longer pipe stem, wedge bolt, and adding special balances the total weight of 180 kg.

Because of its penetrating power, the Zis-2/Zis-4 L/73 gun family was used in other self propelled antitank guns (SPAG), like the Zis-30 and the Zis-41(the armored version of Zis-42).

In July 1941, the improved ZIS-4 gun was installed in T-34 and tested again on Sofrino proving ground. Trials were successful and gun was recommended for service in spite of its cost price. The ZIS-4 was too expensive mostly because of very long barrel. Nevertheless its price, gun was accepted for service because of high demand of powerful antitank guns. ZIS-4 was intended to rearm some production T-34 to convert them into "tank-hunters" (T-34-75). Following the order of NKV, ZIS-4 was set up for mass production on factory #92.

Mass production of those guns started in August 1941. In September 1941 it was temporary delayed and on December 1, 1941, it was cancelled. That was because of shortage of 57 mm ammunition and productional expenses.

T-34/ 57 - 1941

T-34/ 57 - 1941

According to report of Ministry of Ammunition (Narkomat Boepripasov), in 1941 the Factory # 92 has manufactured 133 ZIS-4 guns. Until evacuation, KhPZ had received 21 guns for reaming some production T-34s.

Zis-4 57mm L/73 - early gun tank

STZ had the gun mantlet of the T-34-57. Additional armor ring was added to compencate different diameters of the F-34 and the ZIS- 4. received 20 guns. From October 1, 1941, T-34-57 must been manufactured on "Krasnoye Sormovo" Factory.

T34- 57mm mantlets - notice the flat surface in the prototype
and the armor ring and angled surface in the production tank

The project of 57 mm gun was resumed in 1943, when it become clear that all existing guns could

not combat with German heavies. In May 1943, the "T-34 tankhunter" and "KV tank-hunter" were accepted for service again.

They were armed with modernised ZIS-4M L/73 tank gun that distinguished from its base model by following:

- the gun received a new breech-block that was unified with F-34, ZIS-2, ZIS-3 and ZIS- 5;

- the semi-automatic mechanism of the breech-block was simplified;

- the muff's fastening was improved.

Zis-4M gun tank

The ZIS-4 wasn't provided with panoramic sight, T-34-57 was one of the first tank, that received the MK-4 periscope. Tank didn't have commander's cupola. Specially for successful combat with German heavy tanks, "tank-hunters" had "the armour piercing round of the extra power" that achieved the muzzle velocity of 1010 m/s. However, usage of that ammunition decreased significantly the barrel's life. So, after manufacturing of small party of these rounds (less than 2800 rounds total), all these ammunition was removed from mass production and withdrawn from the Red Army.

The T-34-57 in Action.

Precise data on the number of "tank-destroyers" T-34-57 did not survive (fewer than 324). The "tank-hunters" first party that have participated was the Battle for Moscow in 1941-1942. In particular, there were 10 T34-57 in the 21st Tank Brigade, that was formed in Vladimir. On October 14, the brigade has been deployed at Demidov rail station and a day later it was ordered to advance on Turchinovo-Pushkino-Troyanovo and make a flank strike on German troops deployed near Kalinin. Starshiy politruk (Soviet rank) E.Gmurya drove his tank along the Volokolamsk highway had met with big column of German trucks. His tank has destroyed the whole column of 3-km length. After that, tank rushed in German aerodrome and has destroyed a heavy bomber. After that, tank was knocked out by German artillery, two crewmembers were killed. Politruk Gmyrya and sergeant Ishenko escaped and rejoined Red Army. After 4 days, 21st Tank Brigade destroyed 3 German staffs, about 1,000 soldiers, 34 tanks, 210 trucks and 31 guns. Brigade has lost its commander - Hero of the Soviet Union, major Mikhail A. Lukin and commander of the 1st battalion Hero of the Soviet Union captain M. P. Agibalov.

An example of the most successful use of tanks T-34-57 in this period may serve as a raid on German rear, perpetrated by the crew of "tank-destroyer" under the command Politruk Hmyrya. His car suddenly appeared in the Volokolamsk highway when it is carelessly was a big column of German vehicles with the soldiers. Having shot almost at point-blank column and sowing panic Hmyrya moved on and left on a busy German airfield where several shells completely destroyed the bomber was standing on the ground. Only by joint efforts of aircraft and artillery were able to stop "amok" T-34-57. Of the four men managed to break their only tank commander and sergeant Ishchenko.

Despite the bravery and the skillful mastery of the technique he has shown in the battles of the 21st Brigade, all T-34 tanks, 57 were lost to the November 25, 1941 have been preserved as information about the presence of eight T-34-57 in the 8th Armored Brigade Kalinin Front. These machines arrived October 19, 1941, and had no ammunition, so use them in battle was not possible. On the fate of the T-34-57 no information.

The new T-34-57 "tank-hunters" had appeared on the frontline in August 1943. They've been attached to "special tank company 100". That company had three T-34-57s in its first platoon from August 15 to September 5, 1943.

T34 / 57 1943

T34 / 57 1943

Unfortunately, "tank-hunters" were unlucky. During all those weeks, the company would meet German tanks only once, but in that time the 1st platoon was in reserve and didn't engage the battle. So, "tank-hunters" were unable to prove their efficiency against German armours. Nevertheless, commander of that company captain Volosatov and delegate of the GABTU colonel Zaitzev, have praised T-34-57 very high after shot practice on knocked out German tanks and captured pillboxes and bunkers.

The main drawback of the ZIS-4 and the ZIS-4M tank gun was very low quality of HE projectiles: they either exploded partially or didn't explode at all. During 1943, the Factory #92 had manufactured 172 ZIS-4M guns, then it mass production was cancelled in favour of 85 mm guns. Although, according to factory's report on 1944, it had manufactured additional 19 ZIS-4Ms. Perhaps, for repair some existing "tank-hunters".

4 comentários:

Hi Marcos. Very intersting post. The T-34 is one of my favorite tank and you have done a great job to make something correct with this ugly kit. Thanks again for the historical background, I like always to know what about the real thing.

Marcos, thank you for this presentation. With great interest I read the historical information, so detailed. The pictures show thrilling moments of the building process.Also, SPASIBO comrade for the Russian girls!